Kallstrom's name has been familiar for a decade, but he remains a mystery to many... so, what sort of player are Arsenal getting?

Arsenal-bound Kim Kallstrom will arrive on these shores with something of a muddled reputation.

The name is familiar, it has been for the best part of a decade.

Only now, however, will we be able to pass judgement on the left-footed playmaker with a fancy for free-kicks who, to the consternation of many Arsenal fans, turns 32 later this year.

VIDEO Scroll down to see a bicycle kick from Kallstrom in Sweden team training session

Shock: The Gunners have signed Kim Kallstrom on loan from Spartak Moscow

For despite his lingering presence in our psyche, Kallstrom remains something of a mystery.

Twice he has lined up for Sweden against England at major tournaments, first during the 2-2 draw in Cologne at World Cup 2006 and then again at Euro 2012 as the Three Lions emerged 3-2 victors in Kiev.

He was also part of the Sweden side – inspired by four-goal Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who enjoyed a 4-2 friendly-match triumph over England in November 2012 and has appeared 108 times for his country.

During six years at Lyon he regularly locked horns with British clubs in European competition and, just last season with Spartak Moscow, he was sent off during the closing stages of a 2-1 defeat at Celtic.

Experienced: Kallstrom has won 108 caps for Sweden and was successful during a six-year stint at Lyon

WHO IS KIM KALLSTROM?

Age: 31

Position: Midfield

Clubs: Spartak Moscow, Lyon, Rennes, Djurgaardens

Honours: Ligue 1 title (2007 and 2008), Coupe de France (2008 and 2012)

Nationality: Swedish

International caps: 108

International goals: 16

Then there is his association – unfortunate or otherwise – with the Championship Manager series, the computer game which forecast big things for Kallstrom during his formative years with Djurgardens IF in his homeland.

No team was complete without the bargain buy from Scandanavia who would go on to superstardom in this alternative universe.

So when Kallstrom did leave Sweden in the direction of France aged just 21, it was seen as the natural progression on a journey destined for one of Europe's top clubs.

After two-and-a-half years with Stade Rennais and on the back of his four appearances at the World Cup in Germany, champions Lyon moved for the midfielder.

There he would spend six seasons as a
virtual ever-present, scoring 22 goals from 269 appearances and
collecting two Ligue 1 winners' medals and two Coupe de France trophies
along the way.

International class: Kallstrom (right) seen here celebrating with Henrik Larsson

Never, though, did he scale the heights once expected and, when Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted he was willing to let the player go, Spartak came in with a £3million bid in the summer of 2012.

Kallstrom joined Aiden McGeady in the Russian capital but, like the Scot, never truly settled.

McGeady brought closure on his unhappy
stay when he signed for Everton earlier this month and the pair will be
reunited when Arsenal travel to Goodison Park in April.

During
his 18 months with Spartak, Kallstrom made just 28 starts and Arsene
Wenger's decision to invest in the Swede has been met with surprise,
especially when his initial target was 20-year-old Julian Draxler of
Schalke.

Either way, at least his arrival will
finally give English fans the chance to determine whether Kim Kallstrom
is indeed midfield magician or simply a myth.